Or your eggs before you've eaten them, as the case may be.
So much for my motherly intuition! Georgia failed her egg challenge. (Um, did you read my last post? Well, don't I look like the fool!)
Silver lining here is that she may be able to eat eggs in baked goods, so at least some good news came out of yesterday's appointment.
Full story later when I have time to report.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
IS EVERYONE AS EXCITED AS I AM?! No? Okay, anyway...
Scrambled eggs and french toast? Bring it.
Tomorrow is the egg challenge, and I'm so excited!
We've tried to prep Georgia with just enough facts to prepare her for what's in store. For a two year old, that means keeping it really simple. I know she's soaking it all in, though, since she started telling the grocery store clerk about her allergist appointment as we were checking out with our carton of eggs.
Also, I don't want to scare her about it. But if anything, my concern has been more the opposite -- not trying to hype it up too much. I've had to control the urge to express extreme excitement, as in, "We'll go out for cupcakes afterwards to celebrate!" I'm so confident that tomorrow is going to go well that I kind of have to remind myself that there is at least the possibility that she'll have an allergic reaction.
Here's to hoping that my motherly intuition is spot on in this case.
Tomorrow is the egg challenge, and I'm so excited!
We've tried to prep Georgia with just enough facts to prepare her for what's in store. For a two year old, that means keeping it really simple. I know she's soaking it all in, though, since she started telling the grocery store clerk about her allergist appointment as we were checking out with our carton of eggs.
Also, I don't want to scare her about it. But if anything, my concern has been more the opposite -- not trying to hype it up too much. I've had to control the urge to express extreme excitement, as in, "We'll go out for cupcakes afterwards to celebrate!" I'm so confident that tomorrow is going to go well that I kind of have to remind myself that there is at least the possibility that she'll have an allergic reaction.
Here's to hoping that my motherly intuition is spot on in this case.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Fluarix Vaccine
As mentioned in my prior post, for egg allergy reasons, Georgia can't get the H1N1 vaccine right now. Nor is she eligible for the regular seasonal flu vaccine.
But! (--and this is the good part--) We were able to get her an alternative type of seasonal flu vaccine, administered at the allergist's office. It's called Fluarix, and I'm no doctor, but it is my understanding that in the U.S. it has been FDA approved for adults, but in the case of young children it requires a doctor's prescription. Also, I think it has been approved for both adults and children in Europe for some time now. The allergist's office sent us a thorough letter explaining this drug, and I'm kicking myself because I can't find it now. I believe the drug still contains egg proteins (like most flu vaccines), but perhaps it contains less egg, which is why our allergist is okay with giving it to patients like Georgia? (Again, kicking myself for not being better able to explain this right now, but I swear it all made perfect sense in the letter. If I ever find it I will update this post with more information.)
Anyway, if your child has tested positive for an egg allergy but has never had an anaphylactic reaction to eggs, it might be something to ask your allergist about.
Now, as for the actual shots? I was under prepared. I knew they wanted to give Georgia a partial dose and then have us wait to make sure she had no reaction before giving her the remainder of the dose. I thought we were talking about a 5 minute wait or something. Turns out there was a wait at the allergist's office before our appointment even started, then there was the first shot in her right thigh, followed by a half hour wait, then the second shot in her left thigh, followed by another half hour wait, and then we were dismissed. Whew! Had I known, I would've packed a couple more books to entertain my two year old. Oops.
It all went as well as can be expected, although I did feel bad for Georgia heading back in for the second shot. I mean, the first one was like the kid didn't know exactly what was coming, but c'mon -- she's no idiot. By the time we were walking back in for the second shot, she knew what to expect and wasn't happy about it. There weren't too many tears, though.
Another thing I didn't know about until after we got there: We had to return 4 weeks later for yet another dosage -- the booster that's apparently required for any children getting their first seasonal flu vaccination. She was more scared walking in for the booster, because she knew a "pinch" was coming (that's what she calls shots these days). But it was nothing that an Ernie and a Cookie Monster sticker couldn't fix.
But! (--and this is the good part--) We were able to get her an alternative type of seasonal flu vaccine, administered at the allergist's office. It's called Fluarix, and I'm no doctor, but it is my understanding that in the U.S. it has been FDA approved for adults, but in the case of young children it requires a doctor's prescription. Also, I think it has been approved for both adults and children in Europe for some time now. The allergist's office sent us a thorough letter explaining this drug, and I'm kicking myself because I can't find it now. I believe the drug still contains egg proteins (like most flu vaccines), but perhaps it contains less egg, which is why our allergist is okay with giving it to patients like Georgia? (Again, kicking myself for not being better able to explain this right now, but I swear it all made perfect sense in the letter. If I ever find it I will update this post with more information.)
Anyway, if your child has tested positive for an egg allergy but has never had an anaphylactic reaction to eggs, it might be something to ask your allergist about.
Now, as for the actual shots? I was under prepared. I knew they wanted to give Georgia a partial dose and then have us wait to make sure she had no reaction before giving her the remainder of the dose. I thought we were talking about a 5 minute wait or something. Turns out there was a wait at the allergist's office before our appointment even started, then there was the first shot in her right thigh, followed by a half hour wait, then the second shot in her left thigh, followed by another half hour wait, and then we were dismissed. Whew! Had I known, I would've packed a couple more books to entertain my two year old. Oops.
It all went as well as can be expected, although I did feel bad for Georgia heading back in for the second shot. I mean, the first one was like the kid didn't know exactly what was coming, but c'mon -- she's no idiot. By the time we were walking back in for the second shot, she knew what to expect and wasn't happy about it. There weren't too many tears, though.
Another thing I didn't know about until after we got there: We had to return 4 weeks later for yet another dosage -- the booster that's apparently required for any children getting their first seasonal flu vaccination. She was more scared walking in for the booster, because she knew a "pinch" was coming (that's what she calls shots these days). But it was nothing that an Ernie and a Cookie Monster sticker couldn't fix.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Thoughts on H1N1 and French Toast
Unless you're living in a cave, you know that flu scare is in full swing this year. There's the seasonal flu, and then the dreaded H1N1, a.k.a. swine flu, and if you were pregnant this year (like I was), or have a baby under six months old at home (like we do now), then you're officially high risk and should probably get yourself and your whole fam-damily vaccinated a.s.a.p.
How do I sum up my conundrum succinctly?
-Georgia's allergic to eggs, so she can't get the regular seasonal or swine flu vaccines;
-But she's testing so low on the RAST scale that she's scheduled for a food challenge for eggs in January;
-But she's testing so low on the RAST scale that she's scheduled for a food challenge for eggs in January;
-In the meantime, we've got an infant at home that we should be going the extra mile to protect from swine flu.
-Basically, this leaves me wondering, what is the greater risk? Georgia having an allergic reaction to eggs, or June getting the swine flu?
You see what I'm saying? I mean, we're following doctors' orders and all, so we are NOT feeding Georgia eggs on our own - we are waiting for the medically supervised food challenge - and we are not getting her swine flu vaccinated until she passes the food challenge. However, I'm just saying that we sometimes wonder whether this protocol makes 100% sense, given the possible dire consequence of June getting the swine flu, and given the fact that the allergists must believe that Georgia's probably not allergic to eggs at this point, otherwise they wouldn't have recommended that she do the food challenge.
-Basically, this leaves me wondering, what is the greater risk? Georgia having an allergic reaction to eggs, or June getting the swine flu?
You see what I'm saying? I mean, we're following doctors' orders and all, so we are NOT feeding Georgia eggs on our own - we are waiting for the medically supervised food challenge - and we are not getting her swine flu vaccinated until she passes the food challenge. However, I'm just saying that we sometimes wonder whether this protocol makes 100% sense, given the possible dire consequence of June getting the swine flu, and given the fact that the allergists must believe that Georgia's probably not allergic to eggs at this point, otherwise they wouldn't have recommended that she do the food challenge.
In semi-related news, they called from the allergist's office to say that we are supposed to bring our own food to the food challenge, and specifically that we are supposed to make FRENCH TOAST to bring. Something about that just cracked me up. "Hi, I'm just calling to remind you of your daughter's appointment and to make sure that you know how to cook french toast. Will that be a problem?"
Then, a few days later, we show up at my sister's house for Christmas Eve brunch, and what is she serving but french toast! Suddenly it just seemed so odd to be heading off to a doctor's appointment in January to feed Georgia french toast, when I could've just given her some right then and there on the spot.
Again, we did not do that. We are following the doctor's instructions. I do not recommend that anyone else out there perform food challenges at home with respect to allergens that they've been told to avoid. All I'm saying is.......well, you can appreciate the weirdness of this stuff, right? The oddity of going through such formalities (like a 4 hour doctor's appointment) to eat french toast, when it's right there available on your table.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Morning Reaction
Just a brief note to record the fact that Georgia had some kind of contact irritation or allergic reaction on Christmas morning. Not sure what it was from, but she broke out in a red rash with hives all over her face, mostly on one side, and had to have some Benadryl.
She had eaten Dum Dums and Tootsie Rolls from her stocking, both of which I think were safe.
Not sure if she got kisses from someone who had been eating something unsafe or what exactly happened? This one will remain a mystery.
Since I'm on the topic of holidays, I just want to add that in my opinion there are too many allergen-laden foods in our house right now. I know that some "allergy moms" are super strict with their families when it comes to holidays and food. We, however, are not a "strict prohibition" or "zero tolerance" household, which is to say that we generally allow in foods that Georgia is allergic to and just police them. That said, we try to remain nut free and sesame free as much as possible. We do not buy these things and bring them into our home. This helps to avoid pantry mix ups, problem crumbs, cross contamination, and that kind of thing. (We are not as strict with eggs - we still keep eggs in the house and some processed foods made with eggs.) With family in town, and neighbors and friends having dropped off a few food gifts, I suddenly feel like we've got about 10-12 off limits foods floating around. Not a huge big deal, but I will be more comfortable when we're back to our usual ways. I tend to view these ingredients as threats to my child's health and safety; I think that others just view them as "things she can't have." Anyway, Joe may have to take a few of these items to the office with him tomorrow.
She had eaten Dum Dums and Tootsie Rolls from her stocking, both of which I think were safe.
Not sure if she got kisses from someone who had been eating something unsafe or what exactly happened? This one will remain a mystery.
Since I'm on the topic of holidays, I just want to add that in my opinion there are too many allergen-laden foods in our house right now. I know that some "allergy moms" are super strict with their families when it comes to holidays and food. We, however, are not a "strict prohibition" or "zero tolerance" household, which is to say that we generally allow in foods that Georgia is allergic to and just police them. That said, we try to remain nut free and sesame free as much as possible. We do not buy these things and bring them into our home. This helps to avoid pantry mix ups, problem crumbs, cross contamination, and that kind of thing. (We are not as strict with eggs - we still keep eggs in the house and some processed foods made with eggs.) With family in town, and neighbors and friends having dropped off a few food gifts, I suddenly feel like we've got about 10-12 off limits foods floating around. Not a huge big deal, but I will be more comfortable when we're back to our usual ways. I tend to view these ingredients as threats to my child's health and safety; I think that others just view them as "things she can't have." Anyway, Joe may have to take a few of these items to the office with him tomorrow.
Monday, November 16, 2009
A date with the devil(ed)
Finally! An appointment!
January 12th.
Bring on the eggs.
My bets are on Georgia.
January 12th.
Bring on the eggs.
My bets are on Georgia.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Waiting...
The good news: Based on Georgia's latest RAST score, she's eligible to do a food challenge for eggs, and if she passes, she'll be declared no longer allergic to eggs and may eat them to her heart's content. Yea!
The bad news: This food challenge has to be done supervised, at the allergist's office. Fine. But we can't get an appointment! All slots are booked up for November and December, and we are on a waiting list. A waiting list to try eating some eggs???? Argh!
A little frustrating. But I suppose, if you have been avoiding eggs this long, what's another couple of months? No biggie.
We are following the doctor's orders and not trying this at home. She'll just have to wait until next holiday season for pumpkin pie and Christmas cookies, I guess.
The bad news: This food challenge has to be done supervised, at the allergist's office. Fine. But we can't get an appointment! All slots are booked up for November and December, and we are on a waiting list. A waiting list to try eating some eggs???? Argh!
A little frustrating. But I suppose, if you have been avoiding eggs this long, what's another couple of months? No biggie.
We are following the doctor's orders and not trying this at home. She'll just have to wait until next holiday season for pumpkin pie and Christmas cookies, I guess.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Funny Halloween Exchange
Kid: "Trick or Treat!"
Us: "Here ya go." (Drop candy in bag.)
Kid: "Do you have any Reese's?"
Us: (Lauging) "Oh, specific requests, eh? We haven't gotten any specific requests yet."
His parent: (Hollering up from the sidewalk) "Oh, sorry! His school wouldn't allow anyone to bring candy with nuts for their Halloween parade, so he's been asking everyone for Reese's." (Gives the "can you believe it?" head nod and partial eye roll.)
Us: "Oh." (Smiling.)
They were gone before we could react with any kind of witty response, or at least interject that it's just fine by us if his school doesn't allow nut-laden Halloween candy. It's all for the best, though, since um, Halloween is kind of all about the candy and having a good time, not hearing about your neighbor's child's medical history while you're out trick or treating. (duh.) : )
Us: "Here ya go." (Drop candy in bag.)
Kid: "Do you have any Reese's?"
Us: (Lauging) "Oh, specific requests, eh? We haven't gotten any specific requests yet."
His parent: (Hollering up from the sidewalk) "Oh, sorry! His school wouldn't allow anyone to bring candy with nuts for their Halloween parade, so he's been asking everyone for Reese's." (Gives the "can you believe it?" head nod and partial eye roll.)
Us: "Oh." (Smiling.)
They were gone before we could react with any kind of witty response, or at least interject that it's just fine by us if his school doesn't allow nut-laden Halloween candy. It's all for the best, though, since um, Halloween is kind of all about the candy and having a good time, not hearing about your neighbor's child's medical history while you're out trick or treating. (duh.) : )
Sunday, November 1, 2009
No Fright Night Here
Happy (belated) Halloween!
From what I can tell from perusing the Internet, Halloween tends to freak allergy parents out a bit. We've been lucky so far, and it has not been any big deal.
Halloween '07 (Georgia age 2 months): Dressed her up in a costume. Took photos. She wasn't even eating solids, and we had no knowledge of her food allergies anyway.
Halloween '08 (Georgia age 1): Dressed her up. Took photos. Like most 1 year olds, she had no idea about the trick or treating or candy. Didn't feel like she missed a thing.
Halloween '09 (Georgia age 2): Our first year with a toddler running around a Halloween party. Our first year trick or treating with her. I'm beginning to see where the parental nerves come from with this stuff. Our daughter's still at an age where it wasn't that big of a deal, though. We hit only 5 houses while trick or treating and were able to control all of the candy consumption.
Eek! An allergy mom's worst nightmare: our child, having run off at a party, scooping up something to eat off the floor! Fortunately it was just a grape in this case. Shwew!
The best part of Halloween (from an allergy perspective, I'm saying) was that she made great strides in learning to ask us which foods she can and cannot eat. We practiced at home with her. It was rather cute seeing her hold up each piece of her loot and ask, "Is this safe for me?"
I also tried to buy allergen friendly candy to hand out, in case any of the trick or treaters coming to our place happened to have food allergies. Who knows?
We went with Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and Smarties. (Not my personal favorites, I have to say!)
This (Halloween with a food allergic child, that is) is just another one of those things that's going to continue to evolve year by year, I can tell. Right now I could sit here and tell you that I don't understand what all of the fuss is about. But then again, I don't have an 8 year old trading candy with her friends at school and that kind of thing to deal with. I'm sure my perspective is going to change!
From what I can tell from perusing the Internet, Halloween tends to freak allergy parents out a bit. We've been lucky so far, and it has not been any big deal.
Halloween '07 (Georgia age 2 months): Dressed her up in a costume. Took photos. She wasn't even eating solids, and we had no knowledge of her food allergies anyway.
Halloween '08 (Georgia age 1): Dressed her up. Took photos. Like most 1 year olds, she had no idea about the trick or treating or candy. Didn't feel like she missed a thing.
Halloween '09 (Georgia age 2): Our first year with a toddler running around a Halloween party. Our first year trick or treating with her. I'm beginning to see where the parental nerves come from with this stuff. Our daughter's still at an age where it wasn't that big of a deal, though. We hit only 5 houses while trick or treating and were able to control all of the candy consumption.
The best part of Halloween (from an allergy perspective, I'm saying) was that she made great strides in learning to ask us which foods she can and cannot eat. We practiced at home with her. It was rather cute seeing her hold up each piece of her loot and ask, "Is this safe for me?"
I also tried to buy allergen friendly candy to hand out, in case any of the trick or treaters coming to our place happened to have food allergies. Who knows?
We went with Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, and Smarties. (Not my personal favorites, I have to say!)
This (Halloween with a food allergic child, that is) is just another one of those things that's going to continue to evolve year by year, I can tell. Right now I could sit here and tell you that I don't understand what all of the fuss is about. But then again, I don't have an 8 year old trading candy with her friends at school and that kind of thing to deal with. I'm sure my perspective is going to change!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Oops. Minor Bib Incident.
I wasn't there at the time, but Georgia had a very mild allergic reaction (some hives on her face) to skin contact with a bit of food residue on a bib that she borrowed during a playdate. The bib was the style that slips on over your head (kind of like a tea towel with a head hole cut out of it), so it probably just grazed her cheeks. We think the culprit was either sesame (from hummus) or some peanut butter. The bib's owner suspects hummus. Of course she keeps their bibs clean to normal standards, though, so she jokingly inquired when we discussed the incident later, "Is Georgia allergic to sesame vapors or something?"
I agree -- it is kind of astounding how sensitive Georgia's skin can be. Fortunately, the hives didn't even require any Benadryl and disappeared within 15 minutes. But this incident was a good reminder of how careful we have to be to prevent Georgia's ingestion of allergens.
The silver lining here is that two more adults have now witnessed Georgia having some kind of allergic reaction, thus proving that I'm not crazy. Well, you know what I mean -- it's not that I thought I was crazy, but sometimes I wonder if other people think that Joe and I are just making of all of this allergy stuff up!
I agree -- it is kind of astounding how sensitive Georgia's skin can be. Fortunately, the hives didn't even require any Benadryl and disappeared within 15 minutes. But this incident was a good reminder of how careful we have to be to prevent Georgia's ingestion of allergens.
The silver lining here is that two more adults have now witnessed Georgia having some kind of allergic reaction, thus proving that I'm not crazy. Well, you know what I mean -- it's not that I thought I was crazy, but sometimes I wonder if other people think that Joe and I are just making of all of this allergy stuff up!
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